Fraggle Rock

Down in Fraggle Rock!

In 1983, the Jim Henson Company introduced a rockin' television series for kids: Fraggle Rock!

Fraggles are fun-loving creatures who love to sing, dance, and play all day. They live in a series of caves known as Fraggle Rock, a world that lies somewhere between the Kingdom of Gorgs and Doc's workshop. Fraggles also co-exist with Doozers, little green creatures who do nothing but build miniature towers all day long.

The Fraggles, the Gorgs, and the Doozers are largely indifferent to each other, yet they influence and depend on each other without realizing it. Although the Fraggles themselves hog the spotlight, Fraggle Rock is really about symbiotic relationships and how small actions can affect the world in a big way.

Fraggles

The Five Fraggles: Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, and Red

Fraggle Rock focuses on the adventures of five Fraggles. There's adventurous Gobo, the guy who always takes the lead; Mokey, the peace-loving and creative Fraggle; Red, an energetic and competitive Fraggle who always has to be right; Wembley, an easy-going Fraggle who can never seem to make up his mind; and laundry-obsessed Boober, who expects gloom and doom at every turn.

They're all very close, in spite of their great differences. Although Gobo sometimes finds Wembley's indecisiveness a bit frustrating, they're best friends and wouldn't have it any other way. Red and Mokey are as different as night and day, but they never let that get in the way of their friendship (most of the time). And Boober--well, he can be a bit of a wet blanket, and no one quite understands his love for laundry, but they love him anyway.

However, there's often friction between Red and Gobo. Red is fiercely competitive and likes showing up Gobo whenever she can. Gobo isn't one to back down from a challenge, and seems to enjoy getting Red's goat.

Fraggle Rock - Doc and Sprocket

Inventor Doc and His Dog Sprocket

Each episode of Fraggle Rock begins in the human world--specifically a cluttered workshop where Doc and his dog Sprocket spend their days. Doc is a tinkerer who's always coming up with new inventions of dubious value, like a burglar alarm chandelier, or a doorbell made from pots and pans. His long-suffering dog Sprocket often finds himself recruited to help build or test out these inventions.

Doc has no idea that the hole in the wall leads to the wild and crazy world of Fraggles. But he keeps getting postcards addressed to Gobo Fraggle, which he immediately throws in the wastebasket. Who the heck is this Gobo fellow, anyway? He never notices the little purple-haired Fraggle who sneaks in to collect the postcards sent by his Uncle Traveling Matt.

However, Sprocket sees this Fraggle critter all the time. Poor Sprocket barks up a storm, but absent-minded Doc always brushes him off and never bothers to see what the commotion is about.

To Gobo and all the other Fraggles, Doc's workshop is part of Outer Space, a bizarre world populated by Silly Creatures (humans). Gobo's Uncle Matt left Fraggle Rock to explore Outer Space and study the Silly Creatures; and every day, he sends his Nephew Gobo a new postcard detailing his adventures.

Fraggle Rock - Gorg Junior

The Gorgs

On one side of Fraggle Rock, there's Outer Space, the human world. And on the other side is the Gorg Kingdom.

The Gorgs are 22-foot-tall giants who are convinced that they are the Rulers of the Universe. Never mind that they live in a run-down old castle, or that they don't appear to have any subjects to boss around. The King and Queen must content themselves with bossing around their dim-witted son, Junior.

Junior seems to be the only one who does any real work around the place. He tends the radish garden, rakes the leaves, and anything else Mommy or "King Daddy" tells him to do. However, he's easily distracted and loves nothing more than to catch Fraggles. This is a bit of a problem for the Fraggles, who sneak into the Gorgs' garden to steal radishes.

The Trash Heap

The Trash Heap is, well, a trash heap. But she's not just ANY trash heap: Her name is Marjory, and she's all wise and all knowing. The Fraggles depend on her wisdom, and often sneak through the Gorg's garden to seek her counsel. Marjory's advice is often cryptic and sometimes nonsensical, but there's always something there that leads the Fraggles to the truth.

Philo and Gunge, two grungy rodent-type critters, are Marjory's "attendants" of sorts. They always make sure the Trash Heap gets a proper introduction ("You are in the presence of the all knowing Trash Heap. Nyaaaah!") They also make sure the Fraggles don't overstay their welcome. "The Trash Heap has spoken!" (In other words, you got your advice, now get lost!)